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15 October 2021 / Keith Wilding , Sue Bent
Issue: 7952 / Categories: Opinion , Profession , Legal aid focus
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Making rights in the community a reality

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Sue Bent & Keith Wilding on how law centres can influence change in policy and law & tackle the causes of recurring problems

Since it was founded in 1976, Central England Law Centre (CELC) has provided free specialist legal advice and representation to those most in need; first in Coventry and, since 2013, also in Birmingham.

CELC’s mission is to use its legal knowledge and expertise to make society more equal; its vision is a fairer and more just society in which an understanding of rights and their power becomes embedded within communities.

As well as working with people in crisis who seek its help, CELC has a long-established practice of developing partnerships with other organisations to reach the people who need it most. This approach to partnering and collaboration with other services and organisations enables CELC to understand the challenges and disadvantages individuals and communities are facing.

These partnerships have also enabled the integration of the law centre’s services with other forms of support, such

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